Compact-disc changer using the same optical pickup device used for playing disc for sensing roulette position

Abstract

A roulette-type disc changer includes a tray, a roulette rotatably mounted on the tray, on the upper surface of which a plurality of discs are loaded, and a pickup portion installed below the tray and having a deck on which an optical pickup for emitting a laser beam moves, for reproducing information from the discs, wherein a plurality of throughhole groups are formed in a predetermined pattern along a circumference of the roulette, a light throughhole is formed in the tray at a position corresponding to that of the throughholes of the roulette, the deck of the pickup portion is extended such that the optical pickup can sufficiently move to the position of the light throughhole, and a reflecting device is installed such that the laser beam emitted from the optical pickup can pass through the light throughhole and the throughholes of the roulette and be reflected from the reflection means.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A roulette-type disc changer comprising: a tray;   a roulette rotatably mounted on said tray, said roulette having an upper surface distal from said tray for loading a plurality of discs thereon, having a lower surface opposite its said upper surface and proximate to said tray, and having a rim at a circumference thereof;   a pickup portion installed below said tray and having a deck on which moves an optical pickup for emitting a laser beam and sensing the laser beam reflected back thereto as from one of said plurality of discs, for reproducing information from the discs; and   a reflector positioned above the upper surface of said roulette, wherein a plurality of throughhole groups each having at least one light throughhole therein are formed in a predetermined pattern along a circular path near the circumference of said roulette and separate from where said plurality of disks are loaded, wherein each light throughhole in said throughhole groups extends between the upper and lower surfaces of said roulette at a prescribed distance from its rim, wherein an light throughhole is formed in said tray at a position corresponding to that of the throughholes of said roulette, wherein the deck of said pickup portion is extended such that said optical pickup can move sufficiently close to the rim of said roulette as to be positioned beneath the additional light throughhole in said tray, and wherein said reflector is positioned such that the laser beam emitted from said optical pickup can pass through the additional light throughhole in said tray and one of the groups of throughholes of said roulette and be reflected by said reflector back to said optical pickup, thereby allowing a disc number or a disc stopping position or both to be sensed by said optical pickup.   
     
     
       2. A roulette-type disc changer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the deck of said pickup portion is provided with means for limiting the outermost movement of the optical pickup. 
     
     
       3. A roulette-type disc changer as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a holder chuck coupled to said tray, for supporting and fixing a disc loaded on said roulette. 
     
     
       4. A roulette-type disc changer as claimed in claim 3, wherein said reflector is attached to said holder chuck.